A BUMPER schedule of events will run next month throughout the town to celebrate Black History Month.

Reading Borough Council has teamed up with voluntary groups and organisations to recognise the rich variety of culture during October.

Barbados and Friends Association will be putting on a theatre show at the Reading School of Cricket from October 12 to 14 about the legendary West Indian cricketer, Gordon Greenidge, who arrived to live in Reading at the age of 14.

Triple MOBO winner, singer and actress Beverly Knight will be performing at The Hexagon on October 11.

Reading can look forward to a wide range of community celebrations, theatre, poetry, music, dance, exhibitions, film and talks throughout the month for all to enjoy.

Poetry performances and workshops focusing on the themes of black identity, black inventors, and the issue of justice are being hosted by My World Poetry at The Rising Sun Arts Centre, and Artigiano throughout the month.

There will also be a series of lively talks and debates throughout the month.

On October 25, Alice Mpofu-Coles, a former Zimbabwean diplomat and former chair of Reading Refugee Support Group, will be ‘in conversation’ at The University of Reading.

Rivermead Sports Centre will host the Diwali Festival celebrations on October 19 between 4pm and 11pm.

Young people aged between 7 and 18 will have the opportunity to learn a percussion instrument with Culture Mix Arts hosting free Steel Pan Taster Workshops on October 24 and 26 at Reading College.

There is more information about these events and many more during Reading Black History month at: www.reading.gov.uk/whatson